In a bid to cut the costs of producing new TV shows, UK TV channel ITV are said to be considering adopting a more American approach to making television series’.

ITV global content head Lee Bartlett has revealed:

“Right now, U.K. broadcasters commission six episodes and if the show is successful, they commission a second series,” he said. “By the time they do that, they’ve shut down production and then have to spend money twice on production and marketing.”

Bartlett thinks that if ITV film series closer to when they are aired then if they debut well, more episodes can be ordered whilst production is still taking place. Shows that acheive low ratings can be wrapped at six episodes. Such a model is “standard practice” in the U.S., he said.

“If we can produce all 13 episodes at once, then the production costs are much less,” he said, adding that the new model will alter the risk profile of production.

Bartlett pointed out that the process will have to win the support of writers and producers, but it already has the backing of ITV director of television Peter Fincham.

“It’s about doing it (production) smarter,” he said. “And if I do that, then to a certain extent I’m doing it cheaper at the same time as adding value.”